Hurricane Ian’s impact continues to be felt on Sanibel and elsewhere. Sometimes in obvious ways, buildings yet to be rehabbed, residents and businesses yet to return, but also in more hidden ways.
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium has been under reconstruction for months now and a portion of it is to reopen to the public soon. But one of the things that needed to be addressed was the fact that wheelchairs for visitors needing such assistance had been lost in the storm. Volunteer staff member Linda Arnold, a member of the Rotary Club of Sanibel-Captiva, had participated in one of the club’s distribution of wheelchairs on an international basis and thought she could be helped in her effort to procure new ones. She approached John Danner, one of the club’s wheelchair effort co-chairs about the matter and was told, “Yes, we can!”
With the assistance of the Wheelchair Foundation and Rotary’s Wheelchair Committee Chairman for District 6960, Jim Fabry, two wheelchairs have been provided. They were delivered to the museum this week by Danner and fellow Rotarian William Harkey.
The Rotary Club of Sanibel-Captiva meets weekly on Fridays from 7:30-9:00 AM at the Sanibel Community House. Guests are welcome. Breakfast is served. For further information visit the club’s website at sanibel rotary.org.
